07 December 2015

The Malta Aquamarine Brooch

The Malta Aquamarine Brooch

Featuring an oval aquamarine stone with a diamond setting and a larger diamond surround, The Queen debuted this brooch when opening the 2015 session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta.

The name I am using here, the Malta Aquamarine Brooch, refers to that location and not to a known provenance. Queen Mary wore* a brooch which could be a match, with a similar shape and basic design. It's an interesting potential provenance, since Queen Mary was not regularly associated with aquamarine stones, and she appears to be wearing a brooch with another colored stone in the photo. The first appearance of the brooch has naturally prompted speculation of a connection to either Malta or the Commonwealth, although The Queen more frequently wears brooches without such a connection to this event. Officially, the origin of this lovely and dainty brooch remains unconfirmed.

*This was noticed in a photograph posted by Beth at the Royal Jewels of the World Message Board in March 2016, and the Malta Brooch resemblance was pointed out by Brock. Thanks to them both.